DM News and Tips

Mail is safe communication
One of the safest and secure ways to communicate is through the mail. This was the finding of a recent Federal Trade Commission (FTC) study. The report showed that 53 percent of identity theft stems from online activities. In contrast only 4 percent of identity theft cases could be attributed to USPS mail. The Postal Inspection Service is on the job 24/7 to combat identity theft. They work closely with credit card companies and other businesses to fight the growing problem.

Calculate postage with a click
Postal customers can calculate postage online. Rates are available for domestic, international and business mail. You can calculate postage for First Class, Standard, Nonprofit, Priority and International mail. It’s as easy as selecting the shape, weight and Zip Code or country information. It will provide an accurate cost for smaller single piece rate mailings. It can provide an estimated cost for larger mailings that require presorting.

The rate calculator is one of the most popular tools on USPS.com. Just click on “Calculate Postage” at usps.com.

Think outside the envelope
The outside of an envelope is a great place to increase response to a package mailing. In a new survey conducted by Consumer Focus 2005, 63 percent of responders said an interesting envelope was more likely to intrigue them to open the mailpiece. And 51 percent said that a reference to a special offer or a discount on the envelope would encourage them to see what was inside.

The primary purpose of the envelope is to get the package opened. Test an envelope teaser. Test interesting photos, art or color. Test copy on the backside of the envelope. Think outside the envelope and then test.

Testers beat response standards
Direct mail marketers who test their offers are way ahead of the pack. A study by Jupiter Research revealed that only 40 percent of marketers routinely segment offers by groups or A/B splits. Does testing pay off? You bet! Marketers who test are beating industry response averages.

Standard mail now $1 billion bigger than First Class
The USPS announced that Standard bulk mail now generates more revenue than First Class. In the last fiscal year Standard mail revenue was $76 billion and First class mail revenue was at $75 billion. Why? First Class mail has been on the decline ever since the internet. Standard mail has been on the rise. It had an increase of 4.6 percent in fiscal 2005.